Latest news with #BenSchwartfigure
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day celebrations set around the county
Remembering the lives of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country is the focal point of Memorial Day, and events will occur throughout Ashtabula County in many different forms Monday. In Ashtabula, there will not be a parade this year, but an 11 a.m. ceremony is scheduled at the Ashtabula War Memorial on Main Avenue. Volunteers were seen recently preparing the area for Monday's ceremonies. In Conneaut, a parade is scheduled to step off from the Conneaut American Legion on Broad Street at 10:45 a.m., and arrive at city hall for brief ceremony before heading to City Cemetery for a ceremony that will include Nic Church as master of ceremonies and Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission Executive Director Ben Schwartfigure speaking. The ceremony is entitled 'Remembering our 63,' which emphasizes the Conneaut residents that did not return from their military service. Sixty-three crosses, with roses and flags, are scheduled to be placed at the site. The Conneaut High School Band is scheduled to participate, and Rev. Tim Kraus is to conduct the reading of the names. A bell will be tolled for each person. A parade is also scheduled for 9:30 a.m. in Geneva, with a ceremony to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The Rock Creek Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4953 invites all former and active service men and women to a parade and ceremony, said John Dyrcz representing the post in a press release. The parade is scheduled to start at 8 a.m., with the Jefferson Area High School Band participating. 'The parade will include stops at the Fire Department Memorial,' Dyrcz said. He said a Naval remembrance will occur at the Rock Creek Bridge before continuing on to Union Cemetery for a ceremony. Ashtabula County Commissioner Casey Kozlowski is scheduled to be the guest speaker. The JAHS Band is also scheduled to assist at ceremonies at Rays Corners, Lenox and Dorset townships, and Jefferson. A new leadership team, that includes village administrators, the Rotary Club and the Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce, are coordinating the parade in the village this year. The ceremony is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. at the Ashtabula County Courthouse, which will include a speech by State Senator Sandra O'Brien. The parade is scheduled to run from East Jefferson Street to North Market Street, and conclude at the cemetery, Elliott Rice said in a press release. The final portion of the ceremony is planned for the Helicopter Memorial. The Kelloggsville Heritage Committee is hosting the 66th Annual Memorial Day Parade and Service starting at 10 a.m. at the Kelloggsville Methodist Church. Parade participants, including the Edgewood High School Band, are scheduled to march from the church to Monroe Kelloggsville Cemetery. Jason Keeler is scheduled to be the guest speaker. A ceremony is also planned for 9 a.m. at Saybrook Cemetery with the Lakeside High School Marching Band scheduled to participate. There are also many other events scheduled through the county.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Veterans Service Commission hosts ribbon-cutting for new office
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — A new office for the Ashtabula County Veterans Service Commission was celebrated Friday morning, as more than 175 people attended a ribbon cutting at the renovated building. Ashtabula County VSC Executive Director Ben Schwartfigure's multiple year push for a new facility ended with the November opening of the facility, located along Route 20, but the celebration was saved until spring. Veterans, business leaders, politicians and other community leaders attended the ceremony. Schwartfigure said he began discussing the idea of a new facility within the first 45 days as executive director, and is thankful for the Ashtabula County Board of Commissioners' willingness to walk through the process with him. Ashtabula County Commissioner Casey Kozlowski said Schwartfigure worked well throughout the whole project, making sure he did the legwork for change orders. VSC Board Member Rick Arndt said Schwartfigure went well above the call of duty to make sure the building was found, renovated properly and funded adequately. 'He kept us focused on the need,' Arndt said. He said Schwartfigure also monitored every part of the renovation efforts while still making sure area veterans received services as well. Fellow board member Ed Somppi also gave credit to Schwartfigure. 'He is, in my mind, the best director in the state,' he said. Schwartfigure gave credit to Onyx Creative and Declan Construction, which made the project a reality. Former VSC Executive Director and current Board Member Anna Allshouse, who worked for the commission for 30 years, provided a history of the organization. She said the commission was born in 1886, when the state legislature attempted to help veterans recover from their experiences in the Civil War. While the organization was funded through mandated local millage, it expanded to a five member board structure that represents a wide variety of veterans organizations. Sean McCarthy, assistant director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, was the keynote speaker at the event. McCarthy said Ohio has done a good job of taking care of veterans, and he intends to continue that tradition. He said Ohio veterans are our neighbors, co-workers and coaches, and fill many important roles in society. Many veterans attended the event, including one from World War II and the Korean conflict. Many attended with friends and family. The Ashtabula County Young Marines posted the colors, and Thomas Lucas Jr. sang the National Anthem to start off the ceremony. Food was provided for those in attendance, and a tour of the facility was provided. Schwartfigure said two new employees have been hired to assist veterans with financial issues. He said the building will also be used for a variety of educational events in the future, and is open for use by veterans groups that do not have their own facilities. 'We will be more visible in the community,' Schwartfigure said.
